Maine’s governor vetoes data center moratorium

Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed L.D. 307, which would have paused permits for new data centers until Nov. 1, 2027.

The bill also would have created a 13-member council to study the issue, but Mills said it needed an exemption for a locally backed project in Jay.

Supporters of the moratorium warned the veto could leave ratepayers, the power grid, and the environment exposed to risks from large data centers.

The decision keeps Maine open to new data center permits while lawmakers continue debating energy costs and grid strain.